Tumor-associated macrophages, exosomes and tumor metastasis: a mini-review

摘要

Tumor invasion and metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients with malignant tumors.Tumor-associated macrophages are macrophages that infiltrate the tumor tissue,and are the most frequent immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.The macrophages could secrete a variety of cytokines and can recognize,identify and clear the tumor cells.As the tumor develops,it plays a vital role in the growth,invasion and metastasis of the cancer.However,the underline mechanisms of how the tumor-associated macrophages promoting tumor metastasis is still not fully understood.Present studies demonstrated that macrophage-related exosomes might play an essential role in tumor metastasis.Exosomes may provide potential targets for the prevention and treatment of macrophage-related tumor metastasis.